Canadian University Bans Chinese AI DeepSeek From Devices, Networks Over Privacy and Security Concerns

In this photo illustration, the Deepseek logo is seen through a magnifying loupe while displayed on a mobile phone screen in London, England, on Jan. 29, 2025. Leon Neal/Getty Images

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has banned China’s upstart artificial intelligence (AI) tool DeepSeek from the school’s devices and networks.

The university said the decision to ban DeepSeek’s applications was based on a “high degree” of risk to privacy and security.

“DeepSeek’s applications raise privacy and security concerns, particularly regarding extensive data collection and sharing, including personal information and the right to log keystrokes, along with weak encryption and security practices,” UBC said in a March 20 statement.

It says the decision was made after a broad review of public information and third-party assessments regarding DeepSeek, including the findings of top cybersecurity researchers, security company reviews, as well as federal and provincial government guidelines and security threat assessments.

UBC says the concerns centres around DeepSeek’s “extensive data collection and sharing,” weak encryption, and its transmission of personal data.

UBC is restricting the installation and use of DeepSeek apps, and “strongly recommends” against using or installing it on personal devices. The restrictions include personal devices that are used for university business.

DeepSeek will no longer be permitted on UBC wireless networks, library systems, or other systems that require a username and password, the statement said.

The university said it will use “preventative measures to block the DeepSeek Applications for users” on its networks.

UBC users who don’t comply with the UBC standards will be subject to a “full range of disciplinary actions,” the statement said. It could include the loss of access to UBC computing privileges and networks.

A UBC spokesman said DeepSeek is the only AI tool that is banned at the school, and it has no plans to restrict others.

DeepSeek Bans Widen

DeepSeek became one of the most downloaded free apps on Apple’s iPhone store when it was first released in late January, but quickly came under scrutiny over security and other concerns.

Ottawa banned DeepSeek from government devices in February. At the time, Chief Information Officer of Canada Dominic Rochon said the move was sparked by “serious privacy concerns associated with the inappropriate collection and retention of sensitive personal information, and as a precautionary measure to protect government networks and data.”

Other countries have also restricted DeepSeek.

A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. lawmakers in February sought to prohibit the use of the Chinese app on government devices, while lawmakers also expressed concerns about DeepSeek’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

On Feb. 4, Australia banned the app from its government systems, saying it poses an “unacceptable risk to Australian government technology.” A day earlier, Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai also announced a ban on the Chinese application over national security concerns.

Critics of the Chinese regime have also raised concerns about DeepSeek’s potential role in advancing the CCP’s suppression of human rights and censorship.

An in-depth examination of the app by The Epoch Times last month found that it closely hews to the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), censoring responses critical of the regime and promoting views favourable to it.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.